Meeting iwi aspirations – Successful Collaboration

Meeting iwi aspirations – a story of successful collaboration

National certificate in elementary construction skills programme specifically for students fron Ngati Haua (students come from Waharoa, Tauwhare, Morrinsville, Waharoa and Matamata).

A survey of employment and housing needs within the Iwi revealed high unemployment , low household income, shortage of trade skills and poor substandard housing conditions for many of there whanau.

The Trust in collaboration with Housing New Zealand had contracted out such work – until recently when a decision was made to upskill the Ngati Haua people with the trade skills to undertake the work themselves.

Discussions took place between Darrin Haimona, Ngati Haua CEO, Wintec Director Māori Hera White and Association Head of Wintec’s School of Trades, James Geddes. Darrin has formerly been a Wintec employer. Over a period of time the exact requirements of the students were identified, the course content finalised and a document of strategic intent between the two organisiations was signed earlier this year.

In what James Geddes descibes as a very satisfactory collaboration, it was decided that the programme was more likely to suceed if the training went to the students instead of the other way around, and would be run by the Trust.

Prior to commencing the certificate programme at Wintec- Work and Income New Zealand joined the collaborative effort by funding a 12 week- pre-training course that was delivered by Ngati Haua, in preparation for there enrolment and transition to the Wintec programme.

Darrin acknowledges the goodwill and support received from Wintec to respond to the training needs of his community... ‘this project has helped us not only achieve our goals but do things in a way that respects and maintains our autonomy... a true example of partnership’.

The certificate will be completed in December this year and currently has 15 trainees and feedback has exceeded expectations. This course was funded by Tertiary Education Commission.

ends

© Scoop Media